Program Description
A degree in Christian Theology from Seattle Pacific University prepares you to live your life with depth and conviction in whatever field you choose. That might mean serving in an overseas relief agency or with a nonprofit organization. It might mean working in the business sector, health care, education, or other professional area. Or it might mean going on to pursue graduate study in theology in order to serve God in the church or the academy.
Regardless of your path, the faculty of the School of Theology knows that what you believe is only one aspect of Christian faith. It also matters how you live out that faith. With our distinctive understanding of theological education (Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate), a degree in Christian Theology from SPU will help you learn to understand your faith so that, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, you might translate it into a way of life that engages the culture and changes the world.
This degree offers a transformative encounter with Scripture and the Christian tradition, preparing students to deepen their own Christian faith, nurture Christian faith in others, and serve as agents of reconciliation in diverse settings.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Christian Theology (BA)
50 Credits Minimum, Including 30 Upper Division (UD)
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| Christian Scripture | |
| Christian Scripture for Transfer Students |
| Christian Theology | |
| 10 |
| Community Bible Study 1 | |
| Torah/Pentateuch: The Old Testament Gospel | |
| Four Gospels and One Jesus | |
| Biblical Texts: Old Testament | |
| Biblical Texts: New Testament | |
| Biblical Topics | |
| Biblical Exegesis 2 | |
| 10 |
| Global and Urban Ministry | |
| Christian Spirituality and Discipleship | |
| Biblical and Theological Introduction to Christian Reconciliation | |
| Intercultural Ministry | |
| Human Development and Christian Faith | |
| Youth Cultures and Christian Faith | |
| Christian Disciplines | |
| Foundations of Youth Ministry | |
| Youth Ministry as Mission and Evangelism | |
| Wesleyan Small Group: New Leader Training | |
| Leadership in Society | |
| Advanced Topics in Reconciliation Studies | |
| Leading a Wesleyan Small Group 3 | |
| Worship Arts Leadership Seminar | |
| Worship Arts Leadership Practicum | |
| 10 |
| Christianity in America | |
| Christian Heritage | |
| Women in Christianity | |
| Exploring Christian Theology | |
| History and Theology of Christian Worship | |
| Christ and Culture | |
| Christian Ethics | |
| Theology, Culture, and Society | |
| World Christianity | |
| Creation Care | |
| World Religions | |
| 10 |
| Hebrew I | |
| Hebrew II | |
| Hebrew III | |
| Independent Study | |
| Practicum | |
| Special Topics | |
| 5 |
| THEO 4899 | Christian Theology Capstone | 2 |
| THEO 4940 | Internship | 3 |
| or THEO 4995 | Thesis |
| Total Credits | 50 |
Suggested Course Sequence
The SPU Christian Theology major is designed to be light and flexible, making it an ideal choice for a first or second major.
Only 15 of the required credits are tied to specific courses, all of which are offered every year (UFDN 2000 Christian Scripture or UFDN 3001 Christian Scripture for Transfer Students, UFDN 3100 Christian Theology, THEO Capstone, and THEO Internship or Thesis). The remaining credits may be completed by choosing from among an array of courses that are mostly offered every other year. Thus, students may spread their THEO courses throughout their years at SPU (as it is described in this suggested course sequence), or complete most of the major within as little as four or five quarters. Students pursuing high-credit majors, for instance, often pack most of their theology courses into the quarters where their primary major has lighter load requirements.
Most THEO courses do not have pre-requisites, and of those that do, most only require UFDN courses— so prioritize taking those as early as you can in your SPU career. Recall that “traditional” four-year students take UFDN 1000 The Christian Faith, UFDN 2000 Christian Scripture, and UFDN 3100 Christian Theology, while transfer students who enter SPU with junior status take UFDN 3001 Christian Scripture for Transfer Students and UFDN 3100 Christian Theology.
On this, please note: while UFDN 2000 Christian Scripture is set up to exclude those who have not achieved sophomore status, and UFDN 3100 Christian Theology is set up to exclude those who have not achieved junior status, a student in their spring quarter may ask for permission to take the next-level course if there are seats available. So, for example, a freshman student who has already taken UFDN 1000 The Christian Faith may seek permission to take UFDN 2000 Christian Scripture in the spring of their freshman year if any of the available sections aren’t full.
Plan of Study Grid
| Freshman |
|---|
| Autumn or Winter |
|---|
| UFDN 1000 |
The Christian Faith |
5 |
| | Credits | 5 |
| Winter or Spring |
|---|
|
5 |
|
Global and Urban Ministry |
|
|
Christian Spirituality and Discipleship |
|
|
Biblical and Theological Introduction to Christian Reconciliation |
|
| | Credits | 5 |
| Sophomore |
|---|
| Autumn or Winter |
|---|
| UFDN 2000 |
Christian Scripture |
5 |
| | Credits | 5 |
| Winter or Spring |
|---|
|
5 |
|
Torah/Pentateuch: The Old Testament Gospel |
|
|
Four Gospels and One Jesus |
|
|
Biblical Texts: Old Testament |
|
|
Biblical Texts: New Testament |
|
|
5 |
|
Biblical Topics |
|
| | Credits | 10 |
| Junior |
|---|
| Autumn or Winter |
|---|
| UFDN 3100 |
Christian Theology 1 |
5 |
| | Credits | 5 |
| Winter or Spring |
|---|
|
5 |
|
5 |
|
|
| | Credits | 10 |
| Senior |
|---|
| Winter or Spring |
|---|
|
5 |
|
5 |
|
2 |
THEO 4940
|
Internship
or Thesis |
3 |
| | Credits | 15 |
| | Total Credits | 55 |
